Authorities said Thursday that employers around the state added a net 6,600 non-farm jobs in July. Overall, the private sector added 7,100 positions and construction firms added 1,600 jobs.

But the education and health services sector cut 3,600 positions and manufacturers cut a net 900 jobs in July. Illinois' manufacturing had been one of the state's strongest employment sectors until recent months.

Nationally, the unemployment rate was 7.4 percent in July 2013, although the state's figure is often higher than the national one.